Electronic lock with remote monitoring

ABSTRACT

An electronic lockset that allows for remote monitoring includes a locking mechanism, a motion sensor, a camera, and a wireless communication module. The locking mechanism is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The motion sensor is configured to detect a person in proximity to the electronic lockset. The camera is configured to capture media content of the person detected by the motion sensor. The wireless communication module is configured to wirelessly transmit the captured media content to an electronic device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/183,668, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 61/779,145, filed Mar. 13, 2013, which applications arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to electro-mechanical locks; inparticular, this disclosure relates to an electronic lock with anintegral camera that allows remote monitoring.

BACKGROUND

Electronic locks have gained increasing acceptance and widespread use inresidential and commercial markets. These locksets control ingressthrough doors in a building by requiring certain electronic credentials.For example, these locksets typically include a control circuit thatdetermines whether to unlock the lockset based on credentials providedby the user, such as using a keypad, etc., without requiring amechanical key.

In some cases, electronic locks can be configured to communicatewirelessly with other devices, such as part of a security system. Forexample, it is known to remotely control (i.e., lock/unlock) anelectronic lock using a wireless device, such as a mobile phone.However, the capabilities of electronic locks to communicate with otherelectronic devices are generally limited to status information andcontrol of the lock. Therefore, there is a need for a novel electroniclock that allows remote monitoring not limited to lock status/controlinformation.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates to an electronic lock with an integral camerathat allows remote monitoring. The electronic lock allows the user toremotely see who is at the door via any medium that can present mediacontent (e.g., digital “still image” or “streaming video) such as asmart phone, digital TV, tablet, PC, laptop, or any equivalent medium.This provides convenience when at home and peace of mind when away fromhome (office or traveling).

When a guest or someone knocks on the door, the owner (if at home) wouldbe able to see who is knocking, such as looking at their mobile device(or using an app that could be made available on their digital TV,tablet, PC, or laptop). If the person happens to be traveling or not athome, he/she could have the remote monitoring feature turned on. In oneembodiment, this feature allows a person to receive “still images” viaSMS or email or get streaming video through a designated web location.In some embodiments, the lock connects to other devices to share imagesor video via a home wireless network. The connection through thewireless gateway will enable sharing remotely, such as using theInternet.

According to one aspect, this disclosure provides an electronic locksetthat allows for remote monitoring. In one embodiment, the electroniclockset includes a locking mechanism, a motion sensor, a camera, and awireless communication module. The locking mechanism is movable betweena locked position and an unlocked position. The motion sensor isconfigured to detect a person in proximity to the electronic lockset.The camera is coupled to the motion sensor, and is configured to capturemedia content of the person detected by the motion sensor. The wirelesscommunication module is configured to wirelessly transmit the capturedmedia content to an electronic device.

In some cases, the wireless communication module may be configured totransmit the media content via a local network. In some embodiments, thewireless communication module is configured to transmit the mediacontent via a public network, such as the Internet. For example, thewireless communication unit may be configured to transmit the mediacontent to a designated website for access by a user. In some cases, thecamera may be activated remotely. For example, the camera may beactivated independent of detection by the motion sensor.

According to another aspect, the disclosure provides a deadbolt forremote monitoring. The deadbolt includes a bolt movable between anextended position and a retracted position, and a motion sensorconfigured to detect a person in proximity to the deadbolt. A camera maybe coupled to the motion sensor, wherein the camera is configured tocapture media content of the person detected by the motion sensor. Awireless communication unit may be configured to wirelessly transmit thecaptured media content to an electronic device.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode ofcanying out the invention as presently perceived. It is intended thatall such additional features and advantages be included within thisdescription and be within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to theattached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example electronic lock with anintegral camera according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 1 witha portion removed to show internal components;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the electronic lock shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is diagrammatic representation of a room secured by theelectronic lock shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing possible components that could be usedwith the electronic lock.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principals of the invention. The exemplification set out hereinillustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplification isnot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodimentsthereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and willherein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, thatthere is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure tothe particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the disclosure.

This disclosure generally relates to an electronic lock with an integralcamera that can be accessed remotely. The term “electronic lock” isbroadly intended to include any type of lockset that uses electricalpower in some manner, including but not limited to electronic deadboltsand electronic lever sets. This disclosure encompasses the integrationof a digital camera into any type of electronic lock and is not intendedto be limited to any particular type of electronic lock.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, this disclosure provides an electronic lock 100with an integral camera 102, which is a digital camera configured totake digital photos and/or videos. Preferably, the electronic lock isconfigured with wireless communication capabilities, such as via awireless communication unit. The electronic lock 100 includes acontroller (not shown) for controlling operation of the camera 102,motion sensor, wireless communication unit, and other electronics of thelock. For example, the electronic lock may be configured to send photosand/or stream video taken by the camera to remote electronic devices,such as sending photos to a user's mobile phone via a text message,email message, or making a video stream accessible via a designatedwebsite accessible by the user. The electronic lock 100 could use anywireless protocol, including but not limited to, those compatible withthe IEEE 802.11 standard, such as using Wi-Fi, or the IEEE 802.15.4standard, such as using Zigbee, a cellular network, a wireless localarea network, or other network protocol.

In the example shown, the camera 102 is associated with an optionalmotion sensor 103. For example, the motion sensor 103 could wake up thecamera 102 to take a photo or shoot video when someone approaches theelectronic lock 100. By way of example, the electronic lock 100 could beconfigured to send a text message with a photo of someone who has justapproached the electronic lock 100. Alternatively, the camera could beselectively activated remotely by a user. For example, the user couldaccess and set configurable options through a designated website or usea dedicated app on a mobile device. Consider an example in which theuser is leaving town for a few days for a trip. If the user wanted toremotely monitor the electronic lock 100, the user could log in to adesignated website (or use an app) to activate a remote monitoring mode.In this mode, the electronic lock could be configured to continuouslystream video, regardless of whether the motion sensor 103 is activatedor not. This provides the user with peace of mind to remotely see thearea surrounding the electronic lock.

As shown, the electronic lock 100 includes an external cover or rosette108 with a rectangular shape having a face portion 110 and a bezel edge112. The rosette 108 is shown merely for purposes of example; therosette 108 could be any shape or structure and this disclosure is notlimited to the particular shape shown in the figures. In the exampleshown, the camera 102 is integrated into the bezel edge 112, whichangles the camera upward to view the face of a person proximate theelectronic lock 100. Although the camera has a fixed position in theexample shown, the camera 102 may be movable either manually orelectronically to change the viewing angle.

In the example shown, the electronic lock includes a keypad 104 forinputting a passcode to lock/unlock the lock 100, but this is shownmerely for purposes of example. This disclosure is not dependent on theparticular mechanism for locking/unlocking the electronic lock 100 andencompasses all manners by which the electronic lock 100 could becontrolled, whether by a keypad, touch screen, biometric sensor(s),wireless communication, or some other way of controlling the electroniclock 100. As shown, the electronic lock 100 includes a mechanicallocking assembly 106 that can be locked/unlocked using a typicalmechanical key. As with the keypad 104, this is shown merely for purposeof example.

FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically an example use of the electronic lock 100.In this example, the electronic lock 100 is mounted to a door 10, whichcould be either an exterior or interior door. When a person 12approaches the electronic lock 100, the motion sensor 103 activates thecamera 102 (if not already activated) and takes a photo of the person12. The electronic lock 100 sends a message via a wireless communicationnetwork 114, such as a text message, to the user 14 that someone is atthe door 10, with a photo of the person 12 included in the message. Theuser 14 can view the photo on a remote electronic device 16, such as amobile phone.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing communication of the electronic lock100, including photos and/or video from the camera 102, with variouselectronic devices, including but not limited to, a smart phone, digitalTV, tablet, PC, laptop, or any electronic device using any platform,such as Windows™ by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond Washington, iOS™from Apple Corporation of Cupertino, Calif., Android™ by GoogleCorporation of Mountain View, Calif., or any future system or platform.In this example, the electronic lock 100 can communicate with localdevices (designated inside) or with geographically remote devices(designated outside house). With respect to local devices 115, thesedevices may be connected to the electronic lock 100 on a local networkusing a wireless gateway 116. Consider an example in which theelectronic lock 100 is installed on the front door of a home and theuser is in the back yard. When someone approaches the front door, themotion sensor 103 activates the camera, which takes a photo of theperson at the front door. The electronic lock 100 sends a message withthe photo on the local network to the user's mobile device, whichnotifies the user that someone is at the door with the photo.

Even if the user is geographically remote from the electronic lock 100,a message could be transmitted anywhere in the world using the Internetto remote devices 118. Messages from the electronic lock 100 could bedistributed to the user using any communication technique, including butnot limited to, text messages, email messages, and/or posting to adesignated website that could be accessed by the user. Consider anexample in which the electronic lock 100 is installed on the front doorof a user's home and he/she is at a location geographically distant fromhome. The electronic lock 100 could be configured to send a message tothe user with a short video clip showing when someone was at the frontdoor.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference toparticular means, materials, and embodiments, from the foregoingdescription, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essentialcharacteristics of the invention and various changes and modificationsmay be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. An electronic lockset comprising: an internalassembly and an external assembly, wherein the internal and externalassemblies are configured to mate with a bolt and be mounted to a door,the external assembly including: an external cover; a camera at leastpartially positioned within the external cover, the camera facing in adirection to capture content proximate to the external assembly; akeypad for receiving a valid passcode, wherein the valid passcodereceived at the keypad controls the movement of a bolt from an extendedposition to a retracted position; and a keyway of a mechanical lockingassembly, wherein the mechanical locking assembly controls the movementof the bolt from the extended position to the retracted position when avalid mechanical key is received within the keyway, and wherein theexternal cover at least partially surrounds the keypad and the keyway; awireless communication unit configured to wirelessly transmit thecaptured content to an electronic device; and a controller in electroniccommunication with the camera and wireless communication unit, whereinthe controller is configured to control movement of the bolt between theextended position and the retracted position responsive to receiving anauthorized credential.
 21. The electronic lockset of claim 20, whereinthe controller is configured to automatically transmit a messageincluding the content captured by the camera to a predetermined networkaddress associated with the electronic device via the wirelesscommunication unit.
 22. The electronic lockset of claim 20, wherein thecontroller is configured to actuate the camera responsive to a messagereceived by the wireless communication unit of the lockset from theelectronic device.
 23. The electronic lockset of claim 20, furthercomprising a motion sensor configured to detect a person in proximity tothe electronic lockset, wherein the controller is configured to actuatethe camera responsive to the motion sensor detecting a person inproximity to the electronic lockset.
 24. The electronic lockset of claim20, wherein the external cover includes a bezel portion.
 25. Theelectronic lockset of claim 24, wherein the bezel portion is angled withrespect to a longitudinal axis of the external cover.
 26. An electroniclockset comprising: an internal assembly and an external assembly,wherein the internal and external assemblies are configured to mate witha bolt and be mounted to a door, the external assembly including: anexternal cover having a bezel portion, the bezel portion being angledwith respect to a longitudinal axis of the external cover; a camera atleast partially positioned within the bezel, the camera facing in adirection to capture content proximate to the external assembly; and akeypad for receiving a passcode, wherein the passcode received at thekeypad controls the movement of the bolt from an extended position to aretracted position, wherein the external cover at least partiallysurrounds the keypad; a wireless communication unit configured towirelessly transmit the captured content to an electronic device; and acontroller in electronic communication with the camera and wirelesscommunication unit, wherein the controller is configured to controlmovement of the bolt between the extended position and the retractedposition responsive to receiving an authorized credential.
 27. Theelectronic lockset of claim 26, wherein the external assembly furtherincludes a keyway of a mechanical locking assembly, and wherein themechanical locking assembly controls the movement of the bolt from theextended position to the retracted position when a valid mechanical keyis received within the keyway.
 28. The electronic lockset of claim 26,wherein the external cover at least partially surrounds the keypad andthe keyway.
 29. The electronic lockset of claim 26, wherein thecontroller is configured to automatically transmit a message includingthe content captured by the camera to a predetermined network addressassociated with the electronic device via the wireless communicationunit.
 30. The electronic lockset of claim 26, wherein the controller isconfigured to actuate the camera responsive to a message received by thewireless communication unit of the lockset from the electronic device.31. The electronic lockset of claim 26, further comprising a motionsensor configured to detect a person in proximity to the electroniclockset, wherein the controller is configured to actuate the cameraresponsive to the motion sensor detecting a person in proximity to theelectronic lockset.